Breathe in Gratitude
As I wrote on Sunday, I’ve been in an unusual place mentally and emotionally the last couple of days. I’m not usually so forthcoming about my faith and spirituality, or so deeply immersed in it, but it seems like since the end of August, that’s all I’ve been doing: there was Pagan Pride; then an outing with the nifty Pagans to some nearby karst caves where we did some chanting and meditation in the blackness; then the afternoon at the lake; then more tarot reading; and then two nights ago the full moon ritual, outside, literally, as the moon was rising, after a day of reading Starhawk at the park. The ceremony was not exactly powerful, but it was moving and something I felt that I needed. We’re also at the turn of the seasons, as the Wheel turns from Summer to Fall, when the colors are beginning to explode, the nights are getting cold and the days shorter and shorter, passing faster and faster. This time, and Spring, aren’t heights, but equinoxes, and yet they’re two of the most celebrated times in the general Pagan calender. I think it reminds us of how many things change, are out of our control, and the inevitability of it all. Instead of feeling overwhelmed though, I’m at peace.
Usually Fall is a difficult time of year for me. I experience seasonal affective disorder to a fair degree and have some other negative associations with this time of the year. You’d think that being in a new city halfway across the country from 90% of what I hold dear I would be freaking out, but, again, I’m not. It’s been an easy transition for the most part, and I think the connection with the Pagan community, and the ability to be involved on a regular basis (instead of just every six weeks like we were doing back home), is keeping me on an even keel. Starhawk recommends in The Earth Path, to “breathe in gratitude and breathe out love.” It makes for an excellent meditation to focus your thoughts in this way, and I have been.
Breathe in — I am grateful for you, air. Breathe out — I love you, air.
Breathe in — I am grateful for you, body. Breathe out — I love you, body.
Breathe in — I am grateful for you, harvest. Breathe out — I love you, nourishment.
Breathe in — I am grateful for you, earth. Breathe out — I love you, earth.
Breathe in — I am grateful for you, Life. Breathe out — I love you, Life.
And on and on for as long as you can think of things and people to be grateful for, and to breathe out a conscious thought that you love those things and those people. It’s so easy to get caught up in all the things we don’t have, the people we miss, the old hurts, the pain, the anger, the grief, the frustration, but we can learn to think differently, to react differently, to come from a place of gratitude, love and respect, no matter what the world throws at us. Whenever we come from those places, we win no matter what the battle is. It’s only a matter of time, and eventually could be as easy as breathing.
There is nothing more important than feeling grateful for what we have and for what we are given. Thanks for sharing this great meditation with us, Jen!
Peace,
Shannon
Thank you Jen for a thoughtful, meditative post…
Fall is my favorite time of the year, and has been my whole life. Don’t get me wrong, I’m an August Baby… love the Summer and sun. But things about Fall trump that for me.
since I’m about 15 and left Catholicism in the dust.
I find the cooler temps and the gentle winds of September, October and November to be very cleansing and life affirming, while being a more introspective time of year for me as well.
I’m a Pagan too,
I also suffer from SAD, but it usually doesn’t kick into gear for me until the end of December, or early January and usually lasts until mid-April - depending on the amount of dark and dreary days we get.
Always nice to run into other Pagans in places where one wasn’t looking.
Peace-
with my degree in comparative religion i have always loved learning about new religions…and i consider starhawk one of the cornerstones of the modern pagan/shaman movement. i myself consider myself a mindful shaman. i seldom feel the need for ritual, but i try to live my place in the universe. i love the active mediation idea of the breath in breath out thing. what a great way to thank those that be about our place in the universe.
What a lovely post. Blessed be.
Hey! There are a bunch of Pagans out there! *waves* Nice to meet you/see you/hear from you.
Glad you enjoyed my post. Feel free to share it as you feel.
We are just turning into Spring here in Australia : ) Always love hearing about another pagan’s practice.
Hi to you in Australia!
Thanks for linking to SAD! I didn’t think there was a name for my general dislike of anything cold with little light and lots of precipitation and cloud cover… I always just said I’m hibernating for half the year.
Thanks also for the meditation. While I’m an atheist, I’m also a practicing martial artist (and thus most attuned to principles from the Eastern religions and paganism) and usually include meditation in my routine. I like to mix it up a little, and having such a positive attitude to focus on will make for a very calming half hour or so.
Starhawk sounds like she has so much to offer- will have to look up a few texts and read more.
Thank you so much, Jen, for a very uplifting post!
Wow! I guess we ARE everywhere! Blessed be! (Oh, and check out Circle Round - excellent book on Pagan Parenting, but good even if you don’t have kids! Great stories, recipes, etc).